Gypenosides are

triterpenoid saponin Saponins (Latin ''sapon'', 'soap' + ''-in'', 'one of') are bitter-tasting, usually toxic plant-derived secondary metabolites. They are organic chemicals that become foamy when agitated in water and have high molecular weight. They are present i ...

s and are the main active components of '' Gynostemma pentaphyllum'', a climbing plant in the family

Cucurbitaceae The Cucurbitaceae (), also called cucurbits or the gourd family, are a plant family (biology), family consisting of about 965 species in 101 genera.

. They have been traditionally used in herbal medicine and have been shown to be effective in the treatment of

cardiovascular disease Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is any disease involving the heart or blood vessels. CVDs constitute a class of diseases that includes: coronary artery diseases (e.g. angina, heart attack), heart failure, hypertensive heart disease, rheumati ...

s, although their mechanism of action is unknown. Gypenoside A has the chemical formula C₄₆H₇₄O₁₇.

References

{{reflist Saponins